PHOTOS: Tall Ships Festival draws a crowd

Friday

May 4, 2012 at 8:36 AM

Savannah Morning News

Today at the festival

Today's festivities kicked off at 9:45 a.m. with a short opening ceremony at center stage on Rousakis Plaza, one of three festival zones. Gates opened to the public in all zones at 10 a.m., with roving entertainment provided by singing Sea Shanties, stilt walkers, nautical characters, pirates, buccaneers and puppet people.

WATCH LIVE: Go to savannahnow.com/tallships to view the festivities from 5 of our live cameras

Most ships - with the exception of the Roseway, the Alliance and the Appledore V, which will be heading out for excursions - will be open for touring until 6 p.m., although a few will close at 5 p.m. to prepare for private receptions.

Across the river at the Savannah International Trade Center, Historic Savannah Foundation President Daniel Carey will give a talk on preservation in Savannah at 11 a.m. in the Oglethorpe Auditorium. The classic movie, "Captain Horatio Hornblower" will be shown at 1 p.m., followed by the kid's movie, "Muppet Treasure Island."

In Morrel Park, on the bluff overlooking East River Street, Kids Cove Adventures will feature the Bone Island Buccaneers at 11 a.m., with the Jeff Beasley Band performing intermittently from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.